Prager, Wachstum Bodenstein Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau 2021

99 points Falstaff
"Pale yellow-green, silver glints. Fragrantly pleasant meadow herbs, delicate fresh orange zest, a hint of yellow apple, and mineral facets. Juicy, elegant, silky texture, refined apple fruit, some mango, very finesse, mineral-saline finish, long tapering persistence, and lovely lime nuances. Already well-developed and accessible. Superb ageing potential."

97 points James Suckling
"Breathtaking nose of white peaches and apple blossom! However, that’s just the introduction to this very precise, crystalline, dry riesling that’s packed with wet stone minerality, but also has a very charming and juicy side. Super-long finish that inexorably pulls you back for more."

Jancis Robinson
"Full bottle just 1,268 g.
Warm, spicy nose with salami notes too. Quite complex and certainly rewarding. Powerful but with a tight pinch on the palate on the end – much tauter than the Zwerithaler Kammergut. Really rather magnificent! This is a hugely complex Grüner that should continue to develop even more. A white wine for red meat? 17.5+/20 points."

Vinous Reverie Notes
Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks. Wachstum, meaning “Growth” or “Cru,” is a nursery for Toni Bodenstein who planted 110 different clones of Grüner Veltliner in an abandoned terrace at the top of Achleiten. When initially planted in 1997, the goal of Wachstum Bodenstein was to preserve biodiversity. It is now one of Prager’s most sought-after wines. Tasting Notes: Prager’s stylistic signature is that of aromatic complexity coupled with power and tension. High-density planting and long hang times ensure ripe fruit flavors and concentration, yet allowing leaves to shade the fruit lend vibrant aromatics of grasses, herbs, and wildflowers. Minerality is a constant feature of any Prager wine. Food Pairing: With minimum alcohol of 12.5%, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is a robust and full-bodied dry white wine. Its intensity of flavor and ripeness of fruit make it ideal with high-integrity ingredients such as seared white fish or sautéed spring vegetables. Grüner Veltliner is a classic accompaniment to Wiener Schnitzel.